Netanyahu ‘welcomes Egypt’s readiness to advance hostage deal’ after Cairo meetings

Amid a new push toward hostage talks, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office says in a statement that he “welcomes Egypt’s readiness to advance a deal to free hostages.”

Israeli officials, including Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, have held meetings on the topic in Cairo over the past week.

“In addition to meetings that were held in Cairo, the prime minister instructed the head of the Mossad to travel to Doha to advance a series of initiatives on the agenda, backed by the cabinet,” the PMO continues.

Meanwhile, the Egyptian Al Qahera News outlet, citing a senior Egyptian official, reports that Egyptian negotiators met with Hamas officials in Cairo “to examine the situation in Gaza and ways to overcome the obstacles that stand in the way of quiet in the Strip.”

The official says the meeting was part of “Egyptian efforts to restart talks for a ceasefire in Gaza.”